Machine for cleaning printers&#39; rollers.



PATENTED JAN. 1, 1907.

c. B. CUTLER. MACHINE FOR CLEANING PRINTERS ROLLERS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 6, 1905.

6 SHBETS-SHBET 1.

INVENTOR- BY 4&

ATTORNEYS I 'it' N0 840,440. PATENTED JAN. 1, 1907.

G. B. CUTLER.

MACHINE FOR CLEANING PRINTERS ROL LERS. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 6, 19054 6 SHEETSSEEET 2:

WITNESSES v PATENTED JAN. 1, 1907. 0. B. CUTLER. MACHINE FOR CLEANING PRINTERS ROLLERS APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 6, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ii 1 4k 0 85.3 A w/ l ll H WITNESSES ATTORNEY-s m: uomus PETERS co., wnsugmmn, n. c.

PATENTED JAN. 1', 1907.

0. B. CUTLER. V MACHINE FOR CLEANING PRINTERS ROLLERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR BY ATT RNEYS TIiE NORRIS PETERS cm, wAsumcmN, n. c.

No. 840,440. PATENTED JAN. 1, 1907.

G. B. CUTLER.-

MACHINE FOR CLEANING PRINTERS ROLLERS.

' APPLIGATION FILED NOV. e, 1905.

isnnnrs-snnmm ATTORNEY THE NORRIS PETERS cm, wAsnmcmN, n.

I like characters of reference indicate like parts rinirnn STATES 1 mm OFFICE.

CLARENCE B.

CUTLER, OF STANHOPE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY H. RICHARDSON. OF BROOKLYN, NEW-YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1, 1907.

Application filed November 6, 1905. Serial No. 285,973.

To all whom it iota/y concern.

Be it known that .I, CLARENCE B. CUTLER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Stanhope, in the county of Sussex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Cleaning Printers Rollers, of which the following is a description.

The present invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in a machine forcleaning printers rollers.

The invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts set forth in and falling within the scope of the a pended claims, and while I have herein sl iown and described one articular embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to all the precise details of construction and arrangement set forth, as there may be modification and variation in certain respects Without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein an embodiment of my invention is delineated,

in all the views. 7

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embracing my invention, certain parts thereof being broken away to more clearly disclose the mechanism. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the machine,

showing the washer-rollers and the scrapingblade out of contact with the roll being acted upon. Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation of the'machine, certain portions being broken away, such view intending to show the driving connections and roll-operating means. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional; view taken through the machine, showing the scrapingblade and washingrolls operating upon the article to be cleaned. Fig. 5 is a vertical and partly in section, of the machine, certain sectional view taken through a slightlymodifled form of machine, such modification consisting in providing an additional roller adapted particularly for use in connection with machines for cleaning lithographic rollers. Fig. 6 is a view, partly in elevation parts being removed and broken away to show the arrangement of mechanism.

In providing the present machine I have especially in view overcoming certain difficulties which have heretofore been encountered in cleaning rollers used in connection with printing-presses. As is well known, after a comparatively short period of use it is often necessary to remove these rollers and clean from the same the ink and other adhering matter. The machine I have devised is particularly adapted for thispurpose and embraces the essential and desired features of compactness, simplicity, durability, and economy of installation.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, A indicates the supporting frame of the machine, which may be-of any desired and suitable character and has its leg portions preferably provided with casters 5, so that the machine may be moved from place to place. The superstructure of the machine, which is indicated as a whole by B, includes a longitudinally-disposed reservoir 0, adapted to contain the cleansing fluid to be applied to the rollers. Extending longitudinally through this reservoir is a casing D, which forms a partition practically dividing the reservoir into two longitudinally-disposed sections, said central or partition casing being provided with coverings 6 to prevent the entrance of fluid thereto. Arranged longitudinally of the machine and finding bearings at the top of the sides 7 of the superstructure I B is a track 8, upon which travels the trolley 9, carrying the depending guiding-hook 10, designed to guide and restrain one end of'the roller to be cleaned, said hook narrowing toward the bend thereof, as at 11, to enable the journals of rollers of various size to be accommodated. The aforesaid sides of the frame are grooved, as at12 12, to guide the roller betimes bearing against and supporting the printing-roll while applying the cleansing fluid thereto, a scraper mechanism comprising a screw member extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted to be thrown into contact with the surface of the printingroller to remove the coating of ink and like accumulations therefrom, a device including In order to cleanthe drying or wiping rolls adapted to be moved into contact with the printing-roller for wiping and drying the same afterthe scraping operation has been completed, the supporting or wash rolls and the scraper beihg shifted out of engagement with the roll being cleaned when the drying-rolls are moved in contact.

The construction of my machine in detail, as illustrated in the drawings, issubstantially as follows:

13 is a power-shaft journaled in the frame ofthe machine and driven from any suitable source of ower, such as the motor 14. Upon one end of the shaft 13 is. a pulley 15, connect ed by the driving-belt 16 with the large-pulley 1-7, a gear-wheel 18 being mounted upon thesame shaft as the pulley 17 and designed to turn. therewith. This gear wheel 1S meshes with two smaller gears 19-19, loose on the'ends of the-shafts or journals 20 of: the applying-rolls 21 21, said rolls extending longitudinally through the machine, one in each reservoir and adapted to be partially submergedin the cleansing fiuid'. The gears 20in -.-to be cleaned, which in the-present instance turn'mesh with similar gear-wheels 22 22, fast on theends of the journals 23 of thewasher or. supporting; rolls 24-. The ends of the roll 24 are slightly flanged,.as at 25, for thepurpose of limiting any tendency oft-he rollbeing cleaned to have an endwise movement imparted thereto during'the rotationof-the same. Ar-

. rangediabove the washing-rolls and in driving engagement therewith through the medium of the belt 27', passing over the pulleys 26 26, is the scraper of-the machine, (shown at 28,) such scraper in the present instance being in the form of' a screw and=preferably extending the length ofrthe machine. A trough, or gutter 2.9 is hunglbeneath the scraper and is provided with a gutter-spout; 30, by which the products removed from the printing-roll'by the knife may be conveyed to a suitable point. ofdischarge. From the description thus far it willbe noted that the washing-rolls andflthe scraper are connected in driving engagement and-have arotary movement imparted-theretofrom the power-shaft 13; The scraper is normally thrust forwardinto position to contact with a printing-roll'by means of'the tension-spring 28".

Within the longitudinal casing dividing the reservoir I arrange a devicecarrying a plurality of" rollers. 31, which for thesake of convenience may be termed the dryingrolls-,these-being mounted-upon heads. 32,

connected to the slot-tediposts. or rods 33', whichv project through the bottom, of'the casing-, one, near each end thereof. The

slotted-portions, 34 ofpsaid rods moveinthe.

gui'd'eways 35, formedat the ends ofthemachine, said slottedirods being connectedby the rock-shaft 36,- which also extends longitudinally underthe bed of the machine. At the bottom of the chamber, Within the reservoir, is formed'a depression 37, seating or depress the sliding rods 33, and thereby elevate or depress the drying-rollsv By reference to the drawings it will be noted that the casing forming the longitudinal chamber within the reservoir does not extend quite the entire distance of the latter, so that the ends of the drying-rolls project beyond" the ends of the chamber, and such drying-rolls are actuated. by the belting from the pulley onthe shaftof the washerrolls. (Shown in Fig. .1 at 41.) Since thebearings of the drier and ordinary rolls are connected together, as hereinafter described, their relation is. constant, no. matter what position I they occupy relative to theframe ofithenia- :chine.

In its normal working position the roller is designated as E, is placed in themachine in the manner shown in Fig; 4that is to say, assumingthe parts to occupy the relative positions shown: in said figure the roller E restsin' contact with and is supported by the washing-rolls 24 24-said roll being guided by the j ournal ethereof,fitting in one of the slots 12, while the opposite journal 6 of the rollerrestsinthe hook portion of the trolley 9. If pOWGlFbBdlOW imparted: tothe mainv drive-shaft 13, the rolls throughthe gearing and= belting heretofore described will have rotary motion imparted thereto; and

the su ply-rolls are actuated by therevolu tiono the washing-rolls. Such supply-rolls, taking'up' the cleaning fluid fromthe reservoir, Will apply the same to the wash Orsupport-ing rol s, which in turn will thorough cover-the surface ofthe roller being operated upon with suchfluid; The scraper, which is preferably'inthe form of an-Archimedean screw, being revolved by its power-transmission connections, also acts up onthe sur face of the-roller E and, scrapes OIIIGIIIOVGS therefrom the ink and otheraccumulations,

such removal: being rendered comparatively ea-syby the applicationv of thecleansing fluid, which may be kerosene or other-suitable material} The material: scraped-from the roll by the action -of-;the screw is deposited in the trough 29 and is carried toward and intothespout 30, by which'itis. conveyed to any-suitable point of 'discharge;

After the roller, has been subjected to the washing and iscra ing-"action it is desirable to dry. the samebe oreit is removed-from the machine, and this. is accomplished #bythrowing the washing-rolls and the scraper out of contact with the printing-roller, and subjecting 7 the latterto the action ofthe dryingrolls, which when not in use occupy a position within the casing D. To throw the scraper and the washing or supporting, rolls out of action and bring the drying-rolls into operation, I have constructed and correlated the parts as follows: Pivotally secured to each of the heads 32 is a pair of links43, also connected to the adjacent journals of the washing-rollers 24. Links 44 also connect both ends of the washing-rolls with the sup ply-rolls, so that a toggle-joint is formed between the drying-rolls and the supplyrolls at the ends of such rolls. Links 46 connect the ends of the scraper to the ends of one of the wash-rolls 24, so that saidscraper may be thrown out'of engagement at the desired time. To bring the drying-rolls into play and throw the washing-rolls and scraper out of action, it is only necessary toactuate the rock-shaft 36 to throw the rods 33 upward, which upward movement is assisted by the action of the springs 38. The upward movement of the heads and theirconnected drying-rolls throws-the covers of the chamber or casing D open and at the same time the link connections act to thrust the scraper and the wash-rolls outward away from the center of the machine and from contact with the printing-roller E, said roller then resting upon and being supported by the drying-rolls, as is shown in Fig. 5. The drying-rolls are rotated by the connections heretofore described, and the printing-roller E is speedily wipedand dried and mayjthen be removed from the machine. a

In Fig. 5 I have shown a slightly-modified form of machine adapted especially for use in connection with the cleaning of lithographic printing-rollers. In this instance I provide additional links, such as are shown at 46, which are pivoted to the journals of one of the wash-rolls, the movement of said links being limited by pins 47, moving in the slot 48 in the frame of the machine. This roll, which is shown at 49, is provided with a suitable napping-surface adapted-to grain or nap the roller E in a desired manner, and such roll 49 is adapted to be brought into use simultaneously With the wiping of the roll by the drying-rolls 31.

It will be noted that I have provided an exceedingly simple compact machine possessing great advantages. The machines for this purpose heretofore employed have possessed certain disadvantages, inasmuch as it was necessary to feed or move the rollv being cleaned longitudinally through the same, thus requiring the machine to be approximately at least twice the length of the printers roll. In the present'case it will be noticed that the scraping device and the rolls are so arrandged that the printing-roller may be supporte and held against endwise movement while being operated upon. It will further be seen that by use of the toggle-andlink connections controlled and operated from the rock-shaft that as soon as the roller is placed in position in the machine the supply-rolls, the washers, and the scraper may be immediately brought into operation by throwing the rock-shaft in one direction, while as soon as they have performed their functions they may be moved into an inactive position, and the drying-rolls are elevated to support and wipe the printing-roll.

By referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that I have provided a reservoir with the side covers 60, hinged-to the sides of the reservoir at 61. When the washing-rolls are thrown back out of engagement with the supply-rolls and with the roller being cleaned, such washer-rolls will strike against the hinged covers and throw the same outward, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Each of the hinged covers has upon its interior face a strip of soft materialsuch as leather, fabric, or, the like-(shown at 62,) against which the washer-roll will strike, and such rolls will be wiped dry by this strip.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. The combination with means for supporting a roller to be cleaned and permitting the rotation of the same, of a screw member adapted to impinge upon and clean and convey material from the surface of the roller.

2. The combination with means for rotatably supporting a roller to be cleaned, of means extending substantially the length of the roller adapted to impinge upon the latter to clean and convey material therefrom in a direction longitudinally of theroller.

3. The combination with means for supporting a roller to be cleaned, of a screw arranged longitudinally of said roller and adapted to impinge upon and clean the, surface of the roller.

4. The combination with means for holding a roller against endwise movement while permitting such roller to rotate, and rotating means impin ing upon the surface of the retating roller or removing material from the roller in a direction longitudinally thereof.

5. The combination with means for hold ing a roller against endwise movement while permitting such roller to rotate, a rotating means alsoheld against endwise movement for impinging upon the surface of the rotating roller to clean and convey material therefrom in a direction substantially longitudinally of the axis thereof. 1

6. The combination with means for supporting a roller against endwise movement while permitting such roller to rotate, of a rotating worm or screw also held against endwise movement and extending substantially the length of said rotating roller to clean and *convey material from the surface of the roller in a direction substantially longitudinally thereof.

7. The combination with means for supporting the roller to be cleaned, of means for applying a cleansingfluid to said roller, and a rotating element extending lengthwise of the roller substantially the length thereof and held against endwise movement adapted to remove material from the surface of the roller in a direction longitudinally of the axis thereof.

8. In a machine of the class described the combination with a frame thereof, the supply-rolls, the washing-rolls and the dryingrolls, of a scraping device incapable of endwise movement and adapted to impinge upon the roller to be cleaned, and means for throwing the wash-rolls and the scraping device into and out of engagement with the roller being cleaned.

9. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of washing members adapted to support the roller to be cleaned, a rotating screw member for scraping said roller, and means for throwing said screw member and the supporting washrolls into'and out of engagement with the roll being cleaned.

10. The combination with the frame thereof, of a reservoir for containing a cleansing material, means projecting into said reservoir for taking the material therefrom, washrollers for receiving the material from the first-mentionedmeans and applying the same to the roller to be cleaned, and means adapted to contact with the rollerto be cleaned substantially its entire length for scraping the material therefrom and conveying the same in a' direction longitudinally of the axis of said roller being cleaned.

1 1, Ina machine of the classdescribed the combination of the supply-rolls, the washingrolls, the drying-rolls, and a screw device for scraping the roller to be cleaned.

12. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, means for applying cleansing material to the roller to be cleaned, a screw member extending lengthwise of the roller for scraping said roller, and a member for napping the surface of the roll. i

i 13. The combination of means for supportinga roller to be cleaned and restraining the roller against endwise movement, a rotatable "element extending longitudinally of said roller and incapable of endwise movement and adapted to scrape and convey material from the roller in a longitudinal direction, and means for moving said rotatable element into and out of engagement with the surface of the roller.

14. Ina machine of the class described the.

combination with the frame thereof, a reservoir on said frame, supply-rolls within the reservoir, washing-rolls arranged to contact with the supply-rolls and to support the roller to be cleaned, and a rotary scraping device adapted to impinge upon and scrape the roller supported by the washing-rolls,

15. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of a reservoir supported by said frame, supply-rolls extending through the reservoir, washingrolls adapted to contact with and be wet by the supply-rolls, such washing-rolls being designed to support the roller to be cleaned, a rotary scraper designed to impinge upon the roller and scrape the same, dryingrolls, and means for actuating the sup ly-rolls, the wzltlshing-rolls, the scraper an the dryingro s.

16. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, a plurality of rolls for supporting the roller to be 17. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, a reservoir containing a cleansing material, washerrolls for supporting theroller to'be cleaned, means for supplying cleansing material from the reservoir to the washer-rolls, and means for guiding the roller to be cleaned, and means comprising a rotary element incapable of endwise movement adapted to impinge upon and scrape the surface of the roller.

18. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of a reservoir mounted thereon, means for supporting a roller above the reservoir, means for supplying a cleansing material from the reservoir to the roller-supporting means, means for throwing said roller-supporting means out of engagement with the-roller, and drying means designed to be moved into position to dry and support the roller.

19. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of rolls adapted to support and apply a cleansing material to the roller to be cleaned, a rotary scraper impinging upon and scraping the surface of said roller, drying-rolls normally out of engagement with the roller being cleaned when the first-mentioned supportingrolls and the scraper are in contact'therewith, and means for simultaneously moving the scraper and the first-mentioned supportingrolls out of'engagement with the rollerbeing cleaned, and for moving the drying-rolls into supporting and wipingengagement with the roller being cleaned.

20. In a machine of the class describedthe combination with the frame thereof, a plurality of washing-rolls adapted to support the roller to be cleaned, means for applying a cleansing fluid to. the washing-roll from whence it is applied to the roller, a scraping device adapted to impinge upon and scrape 3O whence it is applied to the roller, a scra ing the roller, drying-rolls, means for shifting the washing-rolls and the scraper out of contact with the roller being cleaned .and for shifting the drying-rolls into contact with the'roller to wipe and support the same, a reservoir for containing a cleansing fluid, covers for said reservoir, and means carried by said cover for wiping the washer-rolls when such washerrolls are thrown out of contact with the roll being cleaned.

21. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, a reservoir mounted on said frame, rolls adapted to receive a cleansing material from the reservoir to apply the same to a roller to be cleaned, means for moving said rolls, ahinged cover for the reservoir, and means on said hinged cover for Wiping and drying the rolls.

22. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of washing-rolls for supporting them and applying a cleansing material to the roller to be cleaned,

a rotary screw for scraping the roller, dryingrolls, and means for moving said drying-rolls into engagement with the roller being cleaned.

23. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, a plurality of supporting-rolls adapted to support the roller to be cleaned, means for applying a cleansing fluid to the supporting-rolls from device incapable of endwise movement a apted to impinge upon and scrape the roller, drying-rolls for wiping the roller and a napping-roll for napping the roller.

24. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of a reservoir carried thereby, a plurality of supporting-rolls for supporting the roller to be cleaned at desired times, means for applying cleaning material from the reservoir to the supporting-rolls to be applied by the latter to the roller, a scraper for scraping the roller, a casing formed within the reservoir, dryingrolls normally lying within said casing when not in use, and means for shifting the firstmentioned supporting-rolls and the scraper out of contact with the roller being cleaned, and for shifting the drying-rollers Within the casing into contact with said roller to wipe and support the same.

25. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of a superstructure embodying a reservoir, supporting-rolls for supporting the roller to be cleaned, means for applying a cleansing material from the reservoir to the supportingrolls, a rotary scraper for scrapin the roller to be cleaned, drying devices, and means for moving said drying devices into contact with the roller being cleaned, and simultaneously moving the first-mentioned supporting-rolls and the scraper out of contact with the roller, said means including mechanism for shifting the drying-rolls into contact with the surface of the roller being cleaned, and connections between the drying-rolls, the supporting-rolls, the means for applying the cleansing fluid to the supporting-rolls, and the scraper.

26. In a machine of the class described the combination with the frame thereof, of a reservoir containing a cleansing fluid, a plurality of supporting and washing rolls for supporting the roller to be cleaned, rolls adapted to contact with and supply material from the reservoir to the supporting and washing rolls, a rotary scraper for scraping the roller, means for guiding the roller, drying-rolls for wiping said roller, and means for imparting vertical movement to the drying-rolls to move the same into contact with the roller and simultaneously move the first-mentioned supporting-rolls and the scraper out ofcontact with the surface of the roller being cleaned.

27. A machine of the class described comprising a plurality of supporting-rollers for supporting the rollerto be cleaned, said rollers having flanges thereon to prevent the endwise movement of the roller, means for applying a cleansing material to the supportingrolls, and a screw for scraping sai roller, such screw being incapable of endwise movement.

28. A machine of the class described com prising a plurality of rollers for supporting and applying a cleansing fluid to the roller to be cleaned, a scraper in the form of a screw adapted to impinge upon and scrape the surface of the roller, drying-rolls, link connections between the drying-rolls, the supporting-rolls and the scraper, and means including a rock-shaft and an operating device for the latter for throwing the drying-rolls into contact with the roller, and the scraper and the first-mentioned supporting-rolls out of contact with the roller.

29. A machine of the class described com prising supporting-rolls for supporting and applying a cleansing fluid to the roller to be cleaned, a rotary scraper, drying-rolls, a power-shaft, driving connections between the power-shaft, the supporting-rolls, the drying-rolls and the scraper for imparting a rotary movement to said parts, and mechanism for throwing the drying-rolls into contact with the roller being cleaned, and for moving the first-mentioned supporting-rolls and the scraper out of contact with such roller.

30. In a machine of the class described comprising a frame, a reservoir supported thereon, a casing extending through said reservoir, covers for said casing, a plurality of supporting-rolls for supporting the roller to be cleaned, rolls for applying a cleansing fluid from the reservoir to the supportingrolls, a rotary scraper of screw form, incapable of endwise movement, a trough arranged beneath said scraper, drying-rolls normally lying within the casing in the reservoir,

ITO

meansfor moving said; drying-rolls intocon- In testimony whereof I vheme-signed .my tactwith theroller, and connections between name to this specification in the presence of [O the drying-rolls, the supporting-rolls, "the two subscribing Witnesses.

scraper, and means for-applying'the fiuidto the supporting-rolls whereby when the dry- I CLARENCE CUTLER ing-rolls are moved into contactith the roller Witnesses: v the other devicewill be moved outzof. contact RICHARD B. CAVANAGH,

therewith. W. A. PAULING. 

